Autumn Tones

At my card class last night, one of the girls remarked how lovely the leaves looked on the patio. I thought I'd take some photographs this morning, so in between the showers, I pottered around the garden, capturing some of the pretty shades of red and orange before they disappear, and the bare branches appear again. We have some particularly splendid Virginia creeper growing up around our outbuilding. It has crept into the Wisteria, and I will cut that back, but as it is red at the moment, it makes my life easier, picking it out.

 This is our outbuilding, 'The Old Maltings', tucked away in a shady corner of the garden. It is just used for wood storage, and full of spiders, but we don't want to change the character of the building as it is so quaint.

The roof is covered in the Virginia creeper, and it is a glorious shade of red at the moment, especially when the sun catches it.

 I also spied my chickens, out for a walk in the front garden, so I thought that I'd share a picture of them too!

Last night, the girls made an Autumnal themed card, cutting out some leaves with the new Tim Holtz Tattered Leaves die, then running them through some embossing folders. I pinched this idea from Linda Brown, she has made an incredible metal wreath, using different coloured metal, doing exactly the same thing. We coloured our base card with Distress Inks, and using a piece of waste card, brushed DIs through the aperture left by one of the leaves, to create a leaf image on the background. I wanted a graded effect to the leaf, where there was less colour in the middle. We used stamps from Elusive Images for the tree and sentiment, and mounted everything onto copper pearlescent card.

I love working with these warm rusty colours, this is a good time of year for me, not too hot, and not too cold. There is still a chance of good weather, and those Wintry days are still a little way off. Thanks for popping in to see me, and any comments that you make will be greatly appreciated. Judith xx

WOYWW 68

Well, it's Wednesday, which means that its time to wander around Blogland, peeking at other folks' crafty spaces again. If you don't know what I'm talking about, pop over to Julia's blog to find out. My own desk is quite tidy today, which is too boring. The floor however, is as untidy as ever.

See what I mean! I do have a path to my desk, which is better than normal, but I just need more shelf space. I have been working on projects for the Design Team this week that have required lots of trims and embellishments, so I have been rummaging about a lot. I thought that I would show you some of my stash. Now you've seen my stamp storage, so you know that I will have a serious amount of embellishments too!!! 

These trays are crammed full of bling, stampbord, brads, buttons, jars of flowers, all sorts of goodies, too various to mention, an Aladdin's cave of stuff.

A drawer full of more ribbons and flowers....

A box of Buttons gems and brads....

More ribbons and trims. I have Ideology boxes and other embellishments tucked here and there, but I have been crafting for a long time. I used to knit and sew, I make jewellery, and so I collect bits and pieces for different crafts. It all helps when I need a certain something to finish off a card. I hope that you have enjoyed looking at my stash today, and I'll see you next week. I'm off to look around some of your desks now, to see what you've been up to, Judith xx 

Class at LB Crafts

Hi folks, today I've been spending the day at LB Crafts attending a class run by Linda Brown. We made a fabulous canvas using metal, alcohol inks, die cuts and messed about with paint. I was really pleased to see Chris from the Stamp Hut there as I know her, and had thought that I wouldn't know anyone at the class today. We sat together, and Chris helped me with some tips on metal working, which were greatly appreciated, as I have very little experience in that medium.
After a bit of a natter, we got started, and Linda demoed applying the paint to the canvas, and got us to choose our paint colours. All was going well, until I managed to spill the water pot over my canvas, my lap, and into my bag, (soggy sandwich!), but the heat gun sorted my canvas out, and my sandwich was fairly robust! I learnt how to remove colour from metal using alcohol inks today, see, I told you I hadn't used metal much, and loved the effect. We used material stuck to card to create leaves and flowers, and embossed our metal pieces using Sizzix folders and TSS tools.

Everyone's canvases looked different, as we all chose different colours. A couple of the girls chose purple hues, and they were stunning. One girl made a black and white piece, it was really lovely. Here is my attempt:

It was a lovely relaxed class, we didn't feel rushed, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Thanks Linda! I'll be back again soon no doubt, but thank you for popping by, and any comments are really appreciated, Judith xx 

Trick or Treat, Blog Hop is over!

Well, I'm sure that you've narrowed it down by now, I have a Treat for a lucky person!  I have two sets of stamps to give away, Twighlight zone, some of which I've been using this week, especially the cute little black cat, and Christmas Traditions, to get you ready for those all important Christmas cards. What do you mean, it's only September!!!

I've had such fun joining in with the Blog Hop this week, and would like to thank you for all of your lovely comments, and support along the way. If you have become a follower of my Blog, please pop back and see what I'm getting up to from time to time. I welcome your comments and appreciate the time you take to visit me.

 I have made another card for today's post, using a couple of the smaller stamps on the stamp set that I am giving away, don't worry, the lucky recipient will be getting a brand new set! I have also used my favourite raven from the Spookylicious stamp set. I started by using two Tattered Angels Masks, a tree from the Winter Trees set, and the Gate from the Iroworks set. I coloured my card using Stormy Sky, Chipped Sapphire and Black Soot Distress Inks. I then cut a mask which I stuck over the gate, and stamped a tree twice in Versafine Smoky Grey Ink. I added some bats in Versafine Onyx Black Ink. I then stamped the raven onto card, and popped him onto the gate, using some silicone glue, and added some turquoise Stickles to his eye. I stamped the cat onto Grungepaper, and covered him in gun metal Stickles, (I didn't have black!), using silicone glue again to attach him.

The blog candy on my blog is now closed.Thank you for the lovely comments that I have received this week. The winner is Veronica, so if you would like to contact me with your address, I will send your stamps out asap. My email address is judith@tnjsmith.fsnet.co.uk. Congratulations Veronica! Thanks for looking, Judith xx

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Hi folks, today is my Daughter's 21st Birthday, and it's also the last day of the Spooky September Blog Hop. Megan has opened all of her presents from me, will you be lucky, and receive a gift from me too? Check back later to find out!!!

Here is another spooky card to whet your appetite that I made for the Design Team a couple of weeks ago, using some of the lovely papers from the Artylicious 'Echoes of Italy' pack, and the scarecrow from the 'witching Time' stamp plate.

I have watercoloured my image with Distress Inks. Thanks for looking, see you later! Judith xx

Card for my MIL

THIS IS MY SECOND POST TODAY, PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR MY SPOOKY BLOG HOP OFFERING.

Oh my goodness, two posts in one day, whatever next! It won't last, let me assure you of that! It's my Mother-in-Law's birthday today, and I'd like to show you the card that I made for her. I used some copper pearlescent card to mount everything with, and a scrumptious backing paper from the Essence of Nature CD from Elusive Images Phree has used exactly the same paper on a halloween card here just to show how versatile it can be. I love the rich, warm tones of this paper, and I know that Maureen, my MIL will too, as she wears these colours all of the time.
I used the gorgeous tree with butterflies flying around from the new Essence of Nature stamp plate. I'm using this stamp on everything at the moment! I was very priveleged to see this at the drawing stage, and was blown away by the design. I have decoupaged the butterflies, and coloured them with Inktense pencils, before attaching them to the main image. I have used Wild Honey and Rusty Hinge Distress Inks to edge my white card. I used a lovely birthday sentiment from the Birthday Words stamp plate.

I have chosen not to add any embellishments, and keep the card relatively simple, as I feel that the papers and lovely image are enough. I'm off to finish another special card now, my beautiful Daughter is 21 tomorrow. I don't know where all the years went, one minute she was a baby, now she's at University, studying to be a Child Psychologist.

I'll be back tomorrow with more news on the Elusive Images blog hop, will my Daughter be the only one I'll be giving a present to....? Judith xx

More Spooky Goings on

Hi all, we're still wandering through our Spooky September Blog Hop week, have you found the Blog Candy yet? Have you visited all of the Design Team members Blogs? Who do you think may hold that elusive prize?

Tomorrow you will find out, as that is when we will draw a winner for two sets of blog candy from among the Design Team members Blogs, and who knows, there may be goodies as well over at the  Elusive Images Blog too.

Don't forget to look at the fabulous offer over at Elusive Images on the Halloween stamp sheets, you'll get a really great inspiration leaflet free if you buy more than one set of stamps. It's packed full of ideas and instructions for loads of Halloween goodies to make. 

I have another card to show you today, One made with the large image from the Halloween Candle stamp plate. I stamped this image onto watercolour paper first, then masked the image. I coloured the paper with Mustard Seed, Weathered Wood and Dusty Concord Distress Inks, and then spritzed the paper with water to get a blotchy effect.

I then peeled the mask away, and coloured my image with Inktense pencils, and used a waterbrush to blend the colours. I went over the image again with the pencils to add some shading and depth.

On my black card mount, I pricked some holes, and after I had stuck my picture down, I sewed my sparkly cord through the holes to create a spider's web in the bottom left corner. (A bit like those old nail and cord pictures in the seventies!) You sew in your top hole at the side, and left hole at the bottom, then your second top hole at the side, and second most left hole at the bottom, and so on, until you have created the curve effect, it's a trick of the eye.

I used some paper from the Simple Elegance paper pack as a backing paper, mounted onto black card again, and a sentiment taken from the Witching Time stamp plate completes the card.

I'll be back later with some more spooky creations, so don't forget to come and see me, thanks for looking, Judith xx

WOYWW time again

Hi folks it's Wednesday again , so that means it's time to show you my desk again. If you don't know what I'm waffling on about, then visit Julia's Blog to find out.

This week, I've got lots of things on the go; I'm trying to finish another project from the Retreat. A little book called 'Pockets of Happiness' which has been made with greyboard covers, covered in pretty papers, and has a painted and stamped greyboard panel on the front. Inside there are some pages made with more papers with pockets in them. We made lots more of the painted greyboard panels to go inside the pockets. These have beautiful phrases on them to cheer you up on those 'down' days.

I'm also working on some Halloween cards, so I have lots of spooky bits lurking about on my desk, as well as my fave Coloursoft and Inktense pencils.

This week, I finally had a blind fitted at my Craft Room window, which was not before time. I have had a real issue with the sun fading stuff in this room, and think that it has been drying my inks out too. At least now, I can shut the blind if the sun is too harsh, but enjoy the view when I want to.

I hope you're all having a great day, thanks for popping by, and I hope to see you next week, Judith xx

Spooky September Blog Hop

Hi folks, welcome to my part of the Elusive Images Spooky September Blog Hop! First of all, there is a special offer over at Elusive Images  right now that I would like to tell you about. There are some super Halloween stamp sets available, perfect for this time of year. There are two A5 sets and two DL sets for you and a super special offer when you buy more than one set. There is an inspiration sheet featuring the work of the talented Design Team , guaranteed to get you reaching for those oranges, purples, blacks and sickly greens – all great ghouly fun! There is some blog candy this week too.
The first thing you need to do to win some free stamps is to find them! All this week the Design Team are showing you some of their Halloween artwork and some of them have candy to give away, so go grab a cuppa and be prepared to visit some inspiring blogs.
At least two team members have blog candy to give away, so why not go visiting and see what you can win. Winners will be announced on Friday 17th.
I have made a Halloween card using two of my favourite images on the new stamp plates, in conjunction with some other Elusive Images stamps.

Firstly, I made an arch shaped card, and stamped the cloud, moon and bats image in Jet Black Stazon Ink. I stamped this again onto making tape, and covered my original image. I took some Crushed Olive, Forest Moss and Dusty Concord Distress Inks, and blended them across the page. I then stamped two trees, one in black, and one in grey to create a scene, and then stamped the raven on the tombstone on the right hand side. I stamped this again on a seperate piece of card, and decoupaged it on top of the first image, to give some depth to the scene. I stamped the small scroll leaf design from the Tall Trees stamp set around the edge of my card, as this feels quite gothic in design. I then stamped the words on the left hand side to balance the card design. Finally, I watercoloured the clouds with Weathered Wood Distress Ink, and added a tiny touch of Stickles to the Raven's eye.

To be in with a chance to win some Blog Candy, here is what you will need to do:
1. Become a follower of The Elusive Images Design Team Blog and my Blog.
2. Post a link on your Blog linking back to the giveaway.
3. Leave a comment.

The winner will be chosen by Random Org at the close of the Blog Hop on Friday September 17th and the winner will be announced after 5.00 p.m.

You can reach the Elusive Images Design Team Blog by following the link in my sidebar and the other design team members are listed below:
Phree
Lesley
Ikki
Debbie
Elaine
Miranda
Have a spooky day everyone, and thank you for stopping by! Judith xx

Catching up

Well, it's the day after my Daughter's 21st Birthday party, phew! It all went very well, and Megan really enjoyed herself. She had a joint party with Michaela, whose Birthday was yesterday. Michaela's Mum died of cancer last year, regular follower's of my Blog will remember me mentioning this. Michaela and her brother grew up with my two children, and I knew their Mum at school, it was very sad. The two children are a credit to their Mum, and last night was very bittersweet, as we missed her very much.
Megan has whizzed back to her Uni digs, but is coming home again for her actual birthday later this week, bringing her dirty washing, no doubt! I haven't made her card yet, so that is an urgent project for this week.

I do have a couple of bits to show you today however; one is my Mum's card that I made last week, using some lovely papers available from Graphicus  I used a couple of tags and an Elusive Images stamp, also available from Graphicus from the Damask Squares stamp plate. I used it as a resist, by stamping with Versamark Ink, and clear embossing powder, then going over the tags with Distress Inks, leaving the embossed area cream. This echoes the real cream lace that I used on the card. I also used a lovely sentiment, also an Elusive Images stamp on the smaller tag. A flower made by cutting some of the paper with a Nestability shape, and scrunching it up, completes the card.

I love these papers, because they will take inks too, I have inked the edge of the backing paper with Dusty Concord. This particular paper was taken from the Simple Elegance pack, but the Echoes of Italy pack is my favourite with the marble effect papers.

I am working on a mirror for Megan at the moment, that I started at the Graphicus Retreat. I just need to add a couple of embellishments. I am thinking of making a couple of faux porcelain flowers, as they are reasonably quick, and add a wow factor. The mirror was gessoed, painted, sanded, and then I stamped the words and images in Versafine and Distress Inks. I chose uplifting and supportive comments for Megan to remind her that we love her, and to cheer her up while she is away from home.

I also made and completed a necklace at the Retreat using a Tim Holtz ornate frame, pearls, buttons and crystals. I would make more of these, as I love the vintage feel to this. I showed this on my previous post, but if you're not a WOYWWer, you may not have seen it.I have one or two more projects that I've almost finished, so hopefully, I can get them completed this week.

I would also like to tell you that there is a Blog Hop coming up on the Elusive Images Blog, starting tomorrow, with prizes! It is possible that I may also be having blog candy on my own blog in connection with the blog hop, so stay tuned either here, or at the Elusive Images Blog you will need to check out all of the Design Team members blogs to find the candy, not everyone has some ;)

I hope you've had a good weekend, and that the week ahead is not too stressful for you. Thanks for stopping by, Judith xx

WOYWW and Post Number 100!

Hi folks as the post title says, this is my one hundredth post! Ta dah!!! I feel like I should have Balloons and fanfares, but TBH, I am rather tired after lots of travelling and a hectic time of late. I've just some back from a fabulous weekend at the Graphicus Retreat in Darlington, which also happens to be the town where my parents live, so I went to stay with them for a couple of nights too. I'll chat about the Retreat another time, when I've got a few finished items to blog, if that's okay.
If you don't know what WOYWW is all about, then visit Julia to find out.

On my desk today is my new all singing, all dancing computer, that my OH bought me as an early Birthday/Christmas present. My old computer used to shut down on me at least once a day, as it was just so old and past it, so I really need a new one. I just need to load a couple of programmes onto this one, and then I'll be away again. I also have some new rubbah to cut out, some lovely new stamps from Elusive Images and there are a couple of unfinished projects from the Retreat sitting waiting to be finished. There is a shabby chic mirror, that was gessoed, painted, and sanded, then stamped with some gorgeous word stamps. I just need to put some embellishments on there to finish it off, then my Daughter can have it for her room. There is also a hanging made with Crafty Individuals products, on a Christmas theme. I just need to stick the last few bits on that, and it will be finished. One piece that I did finish was a vintage style necklace, made with a Tim Holtz frame, and buttons, pearls and crystals.

This was great fun to make, and right up my street. I would definitely make more of these! I think that they would make great embellishments for the front of journals, or on canvases too. Anyway, I hope you have enjoyed visiting my desk today, and if I get time, hopefully, I'll get to yours over the next few days as well. Judith xx